He was assistant organist at St George's Chapel in Windsor, then succeeded Salisbury at York Minster,[2] before returning to the Chapel Royal in 1756 to become organist and composer to George III, succeeding Maurice Greene.[1] It is believed[by whom?] that Nares was the first person to systematically publish a series of keyboard lessons for students of the piano.

Nares resigned his duties in July 1781 due to declining health,[1] and died 10 February 1783.[3]

James Nares. Il Principio or a Regular Introduction to playing on the Harpsichord or Organ, a Facsimile of the Original Edition of 1760 with Introduction Notes by Robin Langley, London, Oxford University Press, 1981.